Tips for Solo Travelers
My first solo trip was to Buffalo, NY for a college friend’s wedding. I didn’t plan it that way, but I was in the midst of a divorce and none of our other friends could make it. There were some hard moments - aside from the rehearsal dinner and wedding, I think I ate every meal at a coffee shop near my hotel because I didn’t want to eat at a restaurant by myself - but there were also some lovely moments, like walking along the river on a sunny afternoon and seeing the polar bear at the Buffalo Zoo.
Since then, I’ve taken solo trips ranging from weekend getaways to a two-week trip to France. I’ve gotten braver - I’m now able to eat by myself in a restaurant without too much discomfort - and each trip has taught me both about the place I’m visiting and myself. Traveling solo has shown me that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for.
Solo travel allows you the freedom to do what you want, when you want, without worrying about what your travel companions want to do. Every choice is yours, which can be exhilarating or infuriating (all of my solo trips have involved at least one meltdown where I’m starving and just want someone else to figure out where to eat). It can be scary, but those fears don’t have to be insurmountable, and like anything, it gets easier the more you do it
Here are my tips for traveling solo.
Start small
Your first solo trip doesn’t have to be a two-week trip to Europe (although it could be!). If you’re not used to doing things by yourself, start small. Try going to a movie or a museum by yourself, or eating dinner at a restaurant solo. Sit at a coffee shop for an afternoon with a book or a journal, and see how it feels. When you’re ready, you could try a solo day trip, either by car or train. Then a weekend getaway somewhere nearby. You could also do a solo trip somewhere you’ve already been with other people and notice the difference - what do you choose to do when it’s just you? How do you like to spend your days?
Think about what would make you feel safe
When I travel solo, I like to stay somewhere centrally located with a front desk that is staffed 24/7. I look for hotels in a location where I can walk to a lot of the sights, in an area where I would feel comfortable walking alone at night. I also like knowing that someone is available at all times if I need help.
One of the things I worry most about when traveling solo is being pickpocketed. If I lose my wallet, I would need to figure out how to deal with that on my own, and I may have trouble paying for things in the meantime. I take a few precautions to deal with this worry:
I usually wear a crossbody bag with my wallet zipped away in an inside pocket and the bag on the front of my body. I never hang my bag on a chair and if I put my bag down at a restaurant, I make sure it’s securely between my feet.
I use Apple Pay on my phone as much as possible to avoid taking out my wallet.
I bring two credit cards with me in case I lose one or one stops working.
I take photos of the front and back of all of my cards so that if I lose them I have all of the information I need to contact the bank.
I hide some US currency somewhere in my luggage so that I have some cash saved in case of an emergency (I can always find somewhere to convert it to the local currency if needed).
I also always share my itinerary with family before a trip so that they have as much information as possible in case of an emergency.
Plan some activities but don’t overschedule
Part of the beauty of traveling alone is the ability to be spontaneous - to wander down a street just because it caught your eye or to snag a last minute theater ticket because you feel like going out. But it can also be helpful to have a few things scheduled. I sometimes make dinner reservations to decrease the likelihood of a hunger-related meltdown, plus it feels easier for me to ask for a table for one if I’ve made a reservation. I also look for walking tours that I can book ahead of time. But I also allow plenty of free time so that I can see how I feel in the moment.
You don’t have to do everything alone
If you’re interested in solo travel but a solo trip feels daunting, you don’t have to do everything alone. Activities like walking tours or cooking classes can provide an opportunity to meet other people. Some cities have local greeter programs where you can meet up with a local and have them show you around. There are also group tours specifically designed for solo travelers.
It’s ok to give yourself a break
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably gathered that the hardest part of solo travel for me is eating dinner alone in a restaurant. It has gotten easier the more I do it, but I may not ever feel completely comfortable with it, and that’s ok. Sometimes I just get a sandwich to go and eat in my hotel room, or I go back to the same restaurant multiple times because I felt comfortable there. Travel pushes us out of our comfort zone (and that’s a good thing!), but we don’t have to constantly be pushing ourselves every second. If you want to spend a day resting in your hotel room, that’s ok. After all, it’s your trip!
Now it’s your turn - have you traveled solo before? What would you add?
Interested in solo travel but don’t know where to start? Submit our Travel Inquiry Form today! We can help you brainstorm destinations and design a trip that feels like you. We’re available throughout the process, from planning and booking to support during your trip.
📚 Further reading:
Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo by Beth Santos
Can We Talk Honestly About Women’s Travel? From Departur
Shark Girl by artist Casey Riordan at Canalside in Buffalo.